Skirball Cultural Center
Photograph: Courtesy Timothy Norris
Photograph: Courtesy Timothy Norris

Where to see free concerts in L.A.

Free concerts in L.A. aren’t hard to find. Check out our picks for the best live music and performances in the city.

Michael Juliano
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Looking for free concerts in L.A.? Well, you’re in luck—music (aside from film, possibly) is the city’s most abundant form of entertainment. Whether you get your kicks dancing, at the club or along the Sunset Strip, there’s always tons of live music options—and surprisingly enough, not all of them will cost you.

Though L.A.’s clubs were once teeming with free Monday night residencies, these days you’ll find most spots charge at least a couple of bucks at the minimum—hey, your favorite venues need to pay the rent, you know? But that’s not the case during the summer months, when free alfresco shows pop up all over town. Read on for our top picks for free concerts in L.A.

RECOMMENDED: Find more free things to do in L.A.

Free upcoming concerts in L.A.

  • Music
  • Rock and indie
  • Lincoln Heights
KCRW’s School Night series—which has hosted the likes of Father John Misty and Odesza since it started in 2010—is back, this time with a new home: century-old Lincoln Heights bar the Airliner, which recently fully redesigned its music venue and upstairs listening room. Though the sets are short, the price is certainly right, as is the lineup curated by resident DJ and KCRW tastemaker Chris Douridas. It’s the perfect excuse to stay out late on a school night.
  • Music
  • Latin and world
  • Westside
Catch sets from up-and-coming performers, local legends and global talents during this free music series at the Getty, which features a pair of shows from a different band each weekend. The concerts kick off in February with Inuit soul musicians Pamyua and continue in March with gospel choir Jimetta Rose & the Voices of Creation and April with Persian poets Mahsa and Marjan Vahdat. Get there early to check out the museum’s exhibitions, then head to the Harold M. Williams Auditorium for the show.
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  • Music
  • Latin and world
  • Lincoln Heights
Head to Benny Boy Brewing for a free Lunar New Year concert by multilingual singer and accordionist Jessica Fichot, who returns to channel the swing era of Shanghai with her band. Expect to hear classic Chinese New Year songs, jazz songs sung in Mandarin and Mandopop. Pair pours from the Lincoln Heights brewery and cider house with food from Yakitori Cartel (noon–6pm) and Zef BBQ and the Dumpling Dream (6–11pm). The San Gabriel Valley Chinese Cultural Association will close out the night with drumming and roaming lion dancers.
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